Unit 4 Seminar

MO 250 Medical Records Management: Electronic Health

Records

IntroductionThe transition from paper records to

electronic health records represents a fundamental change in the way a physician office operates and interacts with patients. All tasks related to providing health care to patients will be entered, stored, and maintained in a computer-based EHR.

Case Study Discussion

Q1: How many steps are saved in the electronic office?

Case Study Discussion

Q1A: Twelve steps are saved in the electronic office.

Case Study Discussion

Q2: How many steps must the medical assistant/front desk receptionist complete in the paper-based office? In the electronic office?

Case Study Discussion

Q2A: In the paper-based office, the medical assistant completed 22 steps, as compared to 10 in the electronic office.

Case Study Discussion

Q3: What steps must the patient perform in the electronic office that the medical assistant does in the paper-based office?

Case Study Discussion

Q3A: In the electronic office, the patient checks in, verifies existing demographic and insurance information, and makes a copayment.

Case Study Discussion

Q4a: What is the greatest advantage for the patient in an electronic office?

Case Study Discussion

Q4a (answer): The patient spends less time at the doctor’s office because the work flow is streamlined. The patient can also be sure the demographic and insurance information in the EHR is accurate.

Case Study Discussion

Q4b: What is the greatest advantage for the staff in an electronic office?

Case Study Discussion

Q4b (answer): The staff does not spend time looking for paper charts, checking in patients, and processing copayments.

Case Study Discussion

Q4c: What is the greatest advantage for the physician in an electronic office?

Case Study Discussion

Q4c (answer): The physician benefits from a staff that may experience less stress due to fewer tasks and dealing with fewer disgruntled patients who have been waiting a long time to see a doctor.

Thinking About the Issues Discussion1. In practices using EHR, websites offer

new ways to collect patient information. Patients complete such information as demographic and insurance information, medical history, current condition, and lifestyle. This offers several disadvantages to the patient, the office, and the physicians. However, many patients are reluctant to enter data on the website. Why do you think this is the case?

Thinking About the Issues DiscussionQ1A: Patients may be afraid that their

information will not be safe and confidential. The media reports on computer hackers and theft of electronic information such as credit card numbers contributes to this fear.

Thinking About the Issues Discussion2. EHRs contain features that aid clinicians

in providing patients with safe, effective health care. Some of the more common features included access to current clinical information when making a diagnosis, identifying patients at risk for a specific disease, and monitoring patient’s compliance with prevention guidelines and recommend treatments.

Thinking About the Issues Discussion

Yet many physicians have been slow to take advantage of these features. Why do you think this is the case?

Thinking About the Issues Discussion

Q2A: Physicians may be hesitant to take advantage of EHRs, because of the initial costs, the time required to convert records and train staff, and because they are comfortable doing thing the way the always have and do not see the benefits in changing.

Other Discussion Questions

Discuss the advantages of computer assisted coding.

Other Discussion Questions Advantages of computer-assisted

coding :Ensures the documentation exists for

services billed, since codes are assigned based on electronic documentation.

Aids in selection of appropriate codesReduces the number of unbilled procedures

due to lost or forgotten procedures.

Other Discussion QuestionsAdvantages of computer-assisted

coding:Automatically enters codes the practice

management systemReduces the time between the patient visit

and the submission of the claim or payment, leading to more timely reimbursement.

Other Discussion Questions

Discuss the advantages of e-prescribing.

Other Discussion QuestionsAdvantages of e-prescribing:Providers can avoid many of the mistakes

that occur with handwritten prescriptions.Gives the pharmacy time to prepare the

prescription so the patient will not have to wait once he or she arrives

Safety concerns.

ReferenceSanderson, S.M. (2009). Electronic health

record for allied health careers. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.